Of the three luxury hotels in Waikiki -- the Moana Surfrider and the Halekulani are the others -- the 528-room Royal Hawaiian provides the most stunning design, the warmest service, and a solid collection of free little extras, turndown treats, and welcome leis.

As Waikiki's first hotel, the 1901 plantation-style oceanfront Moana Surfrider offers a dose of historic charm on one of the nicest -- albeit most congested -- stretches of Waikiki Beach. Small rooms are offset by impressive public spaces, including an outdoor courtyard with live nightly music beneath a sweeping banyan tree, and an enormous spa and fitness center.

This property, a 30-story high rise at the southern end of Waikiki, is a five-minute walk from the waterfront and offers a combination of hotel-managed suites and privately owned and rented condominiums. Because of the mixed ownership, there is less centralized regulation over construction happening in the building, which some guests have complained can be intermittently loud. It is popular with guests seeking longer stays, including families and large groups, because of the option to rent suites with kitchens. The property itself has seen better days since its cameo in the opening credits of "Hawaii Five-0", but guests have fairly consistently commented on the cleanliness of rooms, and the renovated rooms are sleek and modern.